U.S. patent application number 10/652610 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-03 for lighting system for an interior of a clothing accessory or an article of clothing and a method of manufacture thereof.
Invention is credited to Sargent, Peter Alexander.
Application Number | 20050047120 10/652610 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34217692 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050047120 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sargent, Peter Alexander |
March 3, 2005 |
Lighting system for an interior of a clothing accessory or an
article of clothing and a method of manufacture thereof
Abstract
A lighting system, and method of manufacture thereof, for
illuminating the interior of a purse, bag, pocket or other
container is provided. A first version uses a portable battery to
power an electroluminescent wire. Additional versions may
optionally include multiple electroluminescent wires, replaceable
or interchangeable electroluminescent wires, timers, sensors,
programmable or reprogrammable logic, additional batteries, and/or
a sew-in lip. The lighting system may be sewn-in, glued,
magnetically secured or otherwise attached to a fabric of the
purse, bag, pocket or container.
Inventors: |
Sargent, Peter Alexander;
(Aptos, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATRICK REILLY
BOX 7218
SANTA CRUZ
CA
95061-7218
US
|
Family ID: |
34217692 |
Appl. No.: |
10/652610 |
Filed: |
August 28, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/156 ;
362/276; 362/84 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 15/06 20130101;
F21V 33/0008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/156 ;
362/084; 362/276 |
International
Class: |
A45C 015/06; F21V
023/04 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A lighting system for an interior of a clothing accessory, the
clothing accessory configured to provide access to the interior
through an aperture, the lighting system comprising: an
electroluminescent wire, the electroluminescent wire substantially
surrounding an axis of the interior; and an electrical energy
source, the electrical energy source coupled with the
electroluminescent wire, and the electrical energy source providing
electrical energy to the electroluminescent wire and enabling the
electroluminescent wire to emit light energy into the interior.
2. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the electrical energy
source is an electrical battery
3. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the system further
comprises a sew-in lip, the sew-in lip coupled with the
electroluminescent wire, and the sew-in lip for attachment by
thread to the clothing accessory.
4. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the system further
comprises an adhesive, the adhesive coupled to the
electroluminescent wire and the adhesive is for attaching the
electroluminescent wire to the clothing accessory.
5. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the system further
comprises an adhesive, the adhesive coupled with the electrical
energy source and the adhesive is for attaching the electrical
energy source to the clothing accessory.
6. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the lighting system
further comprises a switch, the switch coupled with the electrical
power source and the electroluminescent wire, the switch providing
a pathway for delivering electrical current between the electrical
power source and the electroluminescent wire, and the switch having
a first state and a second state, wherein the pathway is available
to the electrical power source and the electroluminescent wire in
the first state, and wherein the pathway is disabled and is not
available to deliver electrical current above a minimal level
between the electrical power source and the electroluminescent wire
in the second state.
7. The lighting system of claim 6, wherein the system further
comprises and a timer, wherein the timer is coupled with the
switch, and the timer directs the switch to transition from the
first state to the second state after the switch has evidenced the
first state for a predetermined time period.
8. The lighting system of claim 7, wherein the timer is
programmable and the predetermined time period is settable by a
user.
9. The lighting system of claim 6, wherein the electroluminescent
wire is detachably coupled to the electrical power source, whereby
the electroluminescent wire may be replaced with a second
electroluminescent wire.
10. The lighting system of claim 6, wherein the lighting system
further comprises a second electroluminescent wire, the second
electroluminescent wire coupled with the electrical power source
and wherein the electrical power source provides electrical energy
to the second electroluminescent wire.
11. The lighting system of claim 6, wherein the lighting system
further comprises a second electroluminescent wire and a second
electrical power source, the second electroluminescent wire coupled
with the second electrical power source and wherein the second
electrical power source provides electrical energy to the second
electroluminescent wire.
12. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein the lighting system
further comprises a second switch, the second switch coupled with
the second electrical power source and the second
electroluminescent wire, the second switch providing a second
pathway for delivering electrical current between the second
electrical power source and the second electroluminescent wire, and
the second switch having an open state and a closed state, wherein
the second pathway during an occurrence of the open state of the
second switch is available to the second electrical power source
and the second electroluminescent wire during an occurrence of the
open state of the second switch, and wherein the second pathway is
disabled and is not available to deliver electrical current above a
minimal level between the second electrical power source and the
second electroluminescent wire during an occurrence of the closed
state of the second switch.
13. The lighting system of claim 6, wherein the lighting system
further comprises a sensor, the sensor coupled with the switch, and
the sensor for detecting a physical parameter and the sensor
directing the switch to assume the first state upon the detection
of the physical parameter.
14. The lighting system of claim 13, wherein the sensor is a motion
sensor and the physical sensor is relative movement of an object
within the interior.
15. The lighting system of claim 13, wherein the sensor is a heat
sensor and the physical parameter is a predetermined level of heat
energy.
16. The lighting system of claim 13, wherein the sensor is a
proximity sensor and the physical parameter is a proximity of an
object to the sensor.
17. The lighting system of claim 13, wherein the sensor is a light
energy sensor and the physical parameter is a predetermined level
of light energy.
18. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the system further
comprises a surface, the surface for bearing a logo.
19. The lighting system of claim 6, wherein the system further
comprises a logic circuit, the logic circuit configured to direct
the switch to assume the first state upon the occurrence of at
least one pre-established criterion.
20. The lighting system of claim 19, wherein the system further
comprises a second electroluminescent wire and a second switch, the
second switch coupled with the electrical power source and the
second electroluminescent wire, the second switch providing a
second pathway for delivering electrical current between the
electrical power source and the second electroluminescent wire, and
the second switch having an open state and a closed state, wherein
the second pathway during an occurrence of the open state of the
second switch is available to the electrical power source and the
second electroluminescent wire, and wherein the second pathway is
disabled and is not available to deliver electrical current above a
minimal level between the electrical power source and the second
electroluminescent wire during an occurrence of the closed state of
the second switch.
21. The method of claim 6, wherein the switch is manually operable
and the switch may be moved between the first state and the second
state by manual selection of the switch.
22. The lighting system of claim 6, wherein the lighting system
further comprises: a housing having first plate and a second plate,
wherein housing is coupled to both the electrical power source and
the accessory; the first plate includes at least two flanges, and
the second plate has a matching receiver for each flange; each
flange passes through a material of the accessory and a matching
receiver; and at least one flange is bent towards the material and
back towards the first and second plate, whereby the housing and
the electrical power source are attached to the accessory, and the
electrical power source is made accessible for coupling with the
electroluminescent wire.
23. A method of illuminating an interior of a clothing accessory,
the clothing accessory configured to provide access to the interior
through an aperture, the method comprising: providing a lighting
system for the interior of a clothing accessory, the lighting
system comprising and electroluminescent wire and an electrical
energy source; the electroluminescent wire substantially
surrounding an axis of the interior; the electrical energy source
coupled with the electroluminescent wire, and the electrical energy
source providing electrical energy to the electroluminescent wire
and enabling the electroluminescent wire to emit light energy into
the interior; attaching the electroluminescent wire to the clothing
accessory in an orientation to allow illumination of the interior
by the electroluminescent wire; attaching the electrical energy
source to the clothing accessory and enabling the coupling of the
electrical energy source with the electroluminescent wire; and
illuminating the interior with light energy emitted by the
electroluminescent wire.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the design of fashion,
clothing, clothing accessory and apparel products having interiors,
such as bags or pockets. More particularly, the present invention
relates to providing a lighting system to portable clothing or
clothing accessories.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The fashion and apparel industries are major sectors in most
national economies. Clothing and clothing accessories
("accessories") are almost invariably required to be easily
portable. Given acceptable cost efficiencies, significant
improvements in usability and ergonomics of clothing and
accessories can be widely distributed. Clothing and accessories are
often used in poorly lighted conditions. The prior art efforts to
increase the usability of clothing or accessories fail to provide
reliable, light-weight, and sufficiently long-lived lighting to the
interiors of bags or pockets.
[0003] There is, therefore, a long felt need to a lighting system
that reliably provides increased visibility to objects located
within an interior of an accessory or an article of clothing.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
lighting system that provides illumination within an interior of a
bag, purse, pocket or container.
[0005] It is an additional optional object of the present invention
to provide a portable lighting system that is light-weight, for
example is less than eight ounces in weight.
[0006] It is a further optional object of certain preferred
embodiments of the present invention to provide a portable lighting
system having a portable electrical energy source.
[0007] It is another optional object of certain alternate preferred
embodiments of the present invention to provide a lighting system
that may be sewn into a fabric of an article of clothing or an
accessory.
[0008] It is yet another optional object of certain still alternate
preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a
lighting system that delivers one or more colors or hues of
illumination within an interior of a bag, accessory, or
container.
[0009] It is a still additional optional object to provide a method
to integrate a lighting system into the manufacture of a clothing
accessory or an article of clothing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] These and other objects will be apparent in light of the
prior art and this disclosure. A first preferred embodiment of the
present invention provides a lighting system for an interior of a
clothing accessory, where the clothing accessory provides access to
the interior of the accessory. The terms clothing accessory and
accessory are defined herein as synonyms and their definitions
includes purses, handbags, satchels, bags, and other suitable
containing devices known in the art. The lighting system may
include, in part or in total, (1) an electroluminescent wire ("EL
wire") substantially surrounding an axis of the interior and (2) an
electrical energy source, where the electrical energy source is
coupled with the electroluminescent wire. The electrical energy
source provides electrical energy to the electroluminescent wire
and enables the electroluminescent wire to emit light energy into
the interior of the accessory. The electrical energy source may be
or comprise an electrical battery, or other suitable electrical
energy source known in the art.
[0011] The lighting system may further optionally include a sew-in
lip. The sew-in lip may be disposed substantively about the
electroluminescent wire. The sew-in lip may be attached by thread
to the clothing accessory. Thread is defmed herein to include
cotton thread, synthetic fiber, metallic wire, and other suitable
materials and products known in the art. The electroluminescent
wire or other part of the lighting system may be additionally or
alternatively may be attached to the accessory by an adhesive. The
lighting system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises an
adhesive, the adhesive coupled with the electrical energy source
and the adhesive is for attaching the electrical energy source to
the clothing accessory.
[0012] The lighting system may optionally further comprise a
switch, where the switch controls the electrical connection between
the electrical power source and the electroluminescent wire. The
switch provides an electrical power pathway for delivering
electrical current between the electrical power source and the
electroluminescent wire. The switch has at least a first state and
a second state, wherein sufficient electrical power is delivered to
the electroluminescent wire to enable the electroluminescent wire
to brighten in the first state, and wherein less on no electrical
power is delivered to the electroluminescent wire in the second
state. The lighting system may also provide a manual control to the
switch, wherein the user may turn on or turn off the
electroluminescent wire by manual setting of button or arm of the
manual control.
[0013] Certain alternate preferred embodiments of the present
invention may further comprise and a timer coupled with the switch.
The timer may direct the switch to transition from the first state
to the second state after the switch has evidenced the first state
for a predetermined time period. The timer may optionally be
programmable and the predetermined time period is settable by a
user. The lighting system may also provide a manual control that
overrides to the timer's direction to the switch, wherein the user
may turn on or turn off the electroluminescent wire by manual
setting of button or arm of the manual override and regardless of
the activity or state of the timer.
[0014] In certain still alternate preferred embodiments of the
present invention, the electroluminescent wire is detachably
coupled to the electrical power source and the electroluminescent
wire may be replaced with a second electroluminescent wire.
Additionally or alternatively, the lighting system further provide
a second electroluminescent wire, where the second
electroluminescent wire may becoupled with the electrical power
source.
[0015] In certain yet alternate preferred embodiments of the
present invention, the lighting system may include a second
electrical power source. The second electrical power source may
provide electrical energy to one or more electroluminescent
wires.
[0016] In addition, the lighting system may further optionally
include a second switch, where the second switch is coupled with
the second electrical power source and one or more
electroluminescent wires. The second switch is used to turn on and
turn off one or more electroluminescent wires.
[0017] In certain other alternate preferred embodiments of the
present invention, the lighting system may further comprise a
sensor coupled with the switch. The sensor detects a physical
parameter, such as an intensity level of light, and the sensor may
direct or inform the switch to assume the first state upon the
detection of the physical parameter, whereby one or more
electroluminescent wires are turned on. The sensor may be a motion
sensor, a heat sensor, a proximity sensor, and/or light sensor.
[0018] In certain still other alternate preferred embodiments of
the present invention, the system may include a surface, the
surface for bearing a logo.
[0019] In certain yet other alternate preferred embodiments of the
present invention, the system may include a logic circuit. The
logic circuit may be configured to direct the switch to assume the
first state upon the occurrence of at least one preestablished
criterion, such a detection signal emitted by a sensor.
[0020] Certain alternate preferred embodiments of the method of the
present invention provides a technique for an illumination of an
interior of a clothing accessory by a method that includes one or
more of the following steps:
[0021] providing a lighting system for the interior of a clothing
accessory, the lighting system comprising and electroluminescent
wire, or EL wire, and an electrical energy source;
[0022] the electroluminescent wire substantially surrounding an
axis of the interior;
[0023] the electrical energy source coupled with the
electroluminescent wire, and the electrical energy source providing
electrical energy to the electroluminescent wire and enabling the
electroluminescent wire to emit light energy into the interior;
[0024] attaching the electroluminescent wire to the clothing
accessory in an orientation to allow illumination of the interior
by the electroluminescent wire; attaching the electrical energy
source to the clothing accessory and enabling the coupling of the
electrical energy source with the electroluminescent wire; and
[0025] illuminating the interior with light energy emitted by the
electroluminescent wire.
[0026] Certain other still alternate embodiments of the present
invention include a housing having first plate and a second plate.
The housing is coupled to both the electrical power source and the
accessory. The first plate includes at least two flanges, and the
second plate has a matching receiver for each flange. Each flange
passes through a material or side of the accessory and a matching
receiver. The flange is bent towards the material and back towards
the first and second plate, whereby the housing and the electrical
power source are attached to the accessory, and the electrical
power source is made accessible for coupling with the
electroluminescent wire.
[0027] Other aspects of the present invention include a method,
system and a computer-readable medium configured to carry out the
foregoing steps. The foregoing and other objects, features and
advantages will be apparent from the following description of the
preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] These, and further features of the invention, may be better
understood with reference to the accompanying specification and
drawings depicting the preferred embodiment, in which: These, and
further features of the invention, may be better understood with
reference to the accompanying specification and drawings depicting
the preferred embodiment, in which:
[0029] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a first preferred embodiment of
the present invention, or first version, having an EL wire, and a
control module with a battery, and as installed in a handbag;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the control module of the
first preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1
attached to a handbag;
[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a networked manufacturing system
comprising a computer network, a networked computer, a
computer-readable medium and a computer based sewing system;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the first preferred embodiment of
the method of the present invention of FIG. 3 that may be performed
to manufacture the first preferred embodiment of the present
invention of FIG. 2;
[0033] FIG. 5 is an illustration of the first version of FIG. 1
having a control module and an EL wire 4, wherein a sew-in lip of
the EL wire is shown;
[0034] FIG. 6 is an illustration of the first version of FIG. 1 as
attached to an internal fabric of the handbag;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a detailed illustration of an optional housing of
the control module of the first version 2 of FIG. 1;
[0036] FIG. 8 is a more detailed illustration of the optional
housing of the control module of the first version 2 of FIG. 1;
[0037] FIG. 9 is an illustration of the housing of FIG. 6 attached
to an internal fabric of the handbag of FIG. 1;
[0038] FIG. 10 is an illustration showing a pair of flanges of the
housing of FIG. 7 passing through apertures of the internal fabric
of the handbag of FIG. 1; and
[0039] FIG. 11 shows the flanges of FIG. 7 bent or otherwise
positioned to hold the control model static relative to the handbag
of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0040] In describing the preferred embodiments, certain terminology
will be utilized for the sake of clarity. Such terminology is
intended to encompass the recited embodiment, as well as all
technical equivalents, which operate in a similar manner for a
similar purpose to achieve a similar result.
[0041] Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to
FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is an illustration of a first preferred embodiment
of the present invention 2, or first version 2, having an EL wire
4, and a control module 6 with a battery 8, and as installed in a
handbag 10. The control module 6 may be sized fit within a cylinder
segment having a radius of one inch and a height of one inch. The
EL wire 4 illuminates an interior 11 of the bag when sufficient
electrical power is provided from the battery 8 and via the control
module 6. The control module 6 houses the battery 8 and holds the
battery 8 in a position relative to the EL wire 4, whereby the
battery 8 is enabled to act as an electrical power source for the
EL wire 4. The EL wire 4 may be or comprise a suitable
electroluminescent wire, such as a LYTEC electroluminescent wire
marketed by Electroluminescent Industries Ltd of Jerusalem,
Israel.
[0042] Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to
FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 2 displays a detailed view of the control
module 6. The battery 8 provides power to the EL wire 4 via
electrically conductive traces 12. A switch 14 is located in the
electrical power signal pathway between the EL wire 4 and the
battery 8. The switch 14 may be placed into either a first state,
or "ON" state, or a second state, or "OFF" state. When the switch
is on the ON, or first, state a power signal sufficient to cause
the EL wire 4 illuminate is passed from the battery 8 and to the EL
wire 4. When the switch is in the OFF, or second, state the power
signal is wholly or substantively interrupted in flowing from the
battery 8 to EL wire 4, whereby the EL wire 4 receives insufficient
electrical power to illuminate. The switch 14 has manual control 16
that may be used to place the switch 14 into either the ON state or
the OFF state by manual or physical manipulation of the manual
control 16 by the user or other person. A timer 18 detects or is
informed by a controller 20 approximately when the EL wire 4 has
been turned on or begun an illumination session. The controller 20
may be a suitable digital logic processor, microprocessor,
controller, microcontroller or other suitable logic device known in
the art. The controller 20 may optionally be programmable,
reprogrammable, field programmable, or field reprogrammable. The
timer 18 then informs the controller 20 or the switch 14 when a
predetermined time period has elapsed since the beginning of the
illumination session. The switch 14 may thereupon end the
illumination session by moving from the ON state to the OFF state,
and thereby turning off the EL wire 4, in response to either the
timer's information or by direction from the controller 20. The
controller 20 may be or comprise a digital logic device, such as a
suitable programmable logic device, a reprogrammable logic device,
a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a plurality of logic gates, or
other suitable electronic logic device known in the art.
[0043] The battery 8 may be comprised within an electrical power
source 22 having a power conditioner 23, such as a suitable
MODULE_INVERTER power conditioner as marketed by Electroluminescent
Industries Ltd of Jerusalem, Israel. The battery 8 may further be
or comprise, or be comprised within, a power pack 24 having an
electrical power signal driver, such as a suitable POWER-PACK
electrical power signal driver conditioner as marketed by
Electroluminescent Industries Ltd of Jerusalem, Israel, or another
suitable electrical power signal driver or modifier circuit known
in the art.
[0044] A sensor 26 is positioned to detect a physical parameter,
such as light, heat, proximity of an object and/or motion of an
object within the interior 11 of the handbag 10. The controller 20
may send and received information and power signals via
electrically conductive signal traces 27 from various electrical
components of the control module 6, such as the sensor 26.
[0045] An optional extra battery 28 is provided as additional or
alternate power supply to a second EL wire 30 and/or the EL wire 4.
The EL wires 4, 30 may each or both comprise a detachable
attachment fixture 32 that is configured to mechanically mate with
a control fixture 34 of the control module 6. The power supply is
electrically coupled with an EL wire 4, or 30 when the
corresponding detachable attachment fixture 32 is mated with a
control fixture 34. The detachability of the mating of the control
fixture 34 and the detachable attachment fixture enable the control
module 6 and the EL wires 4 & 30 to be separately installed or
replaced in the handbag 10. A printed circuit board 35 provides a
stable physical platform for the electrical and mechanical
components of the control module 6, e.g., the power pack 24, signal
traces 27, and the controller 20.
[0046] Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to
FIG. 3, FIG. 3 illustrates a networked manufacturing system 36
comprising a computer network 38, a networked computer 40, a
computer-readable medium 42 and a computer based manufacturing
system 44. The computer network 38 may be or comprise the Internet,
an Intranet, an Extranet, a telephone network, or other suitable
electronic communications system known in the art. The networked
computer 40 is communicatively linked to the computer network 38,
as is the computer based manufacturing system 44. The networked
computer 40 may be a personal computer, a workstation, a personal
digital assistant, or other suitable electronic computational
device known in the art. The networked computer 40 is configured
and enabled to read manufacturing instructions or data 46 from the
computer-readable medium 42. The networked computer 40 formulates
and transmits a manufacturing message via the computer network 38
and to the computer based sewing system. The manufacturing message
may contain an operational information, where the operational
information is either received or at least partially determined by
the instructions or data 46 stored on the computer-readable medium
42. The computer based manufacturing system is configured and
enabled to perform or support the performance of a manufacturing
action, such as a sewing or adhering step, relevant to the
installation of affixation of the EL wire 4 to the handbag 10 at
least partially on the basis of the operational information.
[0047] Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to
FIGS. 3 and 4, FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the first preferred
embodiment of the method of the present invention of FIG. 3 that
may be performed to manufacture the first preferred embodiment of
the present invention of FIG. 2. In step A the networked computer
40 receives access to the computer-readable medium 42 and reads
information 46 from the computer-readable medium 42. In step B the
networked computer 40 formats a message containing some information
either read from or at least partially derived from the information
46. In step C the message is transmitted to the computer based
manufacturing system 44 via the computer network 40. In step D the
computer based manufacturing system 44 reads the message and
prepares a manufacturing instruction that is at least partially
based on information contained within the message. In step E the
computer based manufacturing system 44 performs a manufacturing
step, such as a sewing action, that supports an installation of the
first version 2 into the handbag 10.
[0048] Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to
FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is an illustration of the first version 2 of FIG. 1
having the control module 6 and the EL wire 4, wherein a sew-in lip
48 of the EL wire is shown. The sew-in lip 48 may be a suitable
translucent or semi-translucent material known in the art, such as
a clear plastic or a color tinted plastic. The sew-in lip 48 is
positioned substantively around a main axis X of the EL wire 4 and
projects out from the main axis X to form an attachment area 50.
The attachment area 50 may be sewn, glued, affixed or otherwise
attached to the handbag 10, whereby the EL wire 4 is secured to the
handbag 10 under a constraint on movement imposed by the sew-in lip
50. The control module 6 may comprise a cover 52 that protects the
electronic circuits of the control module 6, e.g. the controller
20, the battery 8, and etc., from solid or liquid contamination.
The cover 52 includes as surface 54 upon which a logo 55A and or a
fabric 55B is imprinted or attached. The logo 55A or the fabric 55B
may be chosen to aesthetically match or complement the visual
appearance and or tactile nature of the handbag 10. In certain
alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention some or
all of the first version 2 may be partially or totally covered or
enclosed in fabric 55B, leather or other suit able material known
in the art. The fabric, leather or other material may be selected
to enhance, complement or reflect the appearance or style of the
bag. The fabric 55B can be attached to the first version 2 by
adhesive, holding ring or other suitable attachment method or
device known in the art.
[0049] Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to
FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is an illustration of the first version 2 of FIG. 1
as attached to an internal fabric 56 of the handbag 10. The control
module may be affixed to the internal fabric 56 by an adhesive 58,
or by a set of plates 60, 62 of a housing 64 of the control module
6 as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. The housing 64 may comprise
a suitable metal or plastic, or other suitable material known in
the art.
[0050] Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to
FIGS. 6 and 7, FIG. 7 is a detailed illustration of the optional
housing 64 of the control module 6 of the first version 2 of FIG.
1. The printed circuit board 35 of control module 6 may be affixed
to an internal side 64 the first plate 60 by the adhesive 58. The
first plate 60 includes at least two flanges 66 that are each sized
to pass through at least one matching receiver 68 or 70 of the
second plate 62. Each of the flanges 66 and are passed through the
internal fabric 56 and substantially through one of the receivers
68 or 70.
[0051] Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to
FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, FIG. 8 is a more detailed illustration of the
optional housing 64 of the control module 6 of the first version 2
of FIG. 1. A plug 72 may be shaped to pass through plug receivers
74 of the first plate 60, the second plate 62, and an optional
under plate 76 of the control module 6. The plug 72 may pass
through an aperture of the internal fabric 56 and be friction
fitted into the receivers 74, whereby the housing 64 is
constructed. The optional under plate 76 may optionally be
detachable from the plug 72, and the printed circuit board 35 may
be attached to the under plate 76, whereby one or more of the
electrical or mechanical components 8, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24,
26, 27, 28, 34 and 56 of the control module 6 may be removed from
the handbag 10 for the purpose of repair and/or replacement.
Alternatively, the cover 52 may be removable to expose one or more
electrical or mechanical components 8, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24,
26, 27, 28, 34 and 56 of the control module 54 for the purpose of
repair and/or replacement. The housing 64 may comprise a suitable
metal, plastic, or a composite material, or another suitable
material known in the art. The control module 6 may be sized to fit
within a cylindrical volume of less than one inch in radius and two
inches in depth. The EL wire 4 may be or comprise an
electroluminescent wire known in the art, such as a GENERAL PURPOSE
LYTEC FAMILY (2.3 MM DIAMETER) as marketed by Electroluminescent
Industries Ltd of Jerusalem, Israel.
[0052] Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to
FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9, FIG. 9 is an illustration of the housing 64 of
FIG. 6 attached to the internal fabric 56 by means of capture of at
least part of the internal fabric 56 by the positioning of the
flanges 66 as the flanges 66 are pressed towards the second plate
62.
[0053] Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to
FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, FIG. 10 is an illustration showing the flanges
66 passing through apertures of the internal fabric 56 and the
receivers 68 and 70. FIG. 11 shows the flanges bent or otherwise
positioned to hold the control model 6 in a substantially static
position relative to the internal fabric 56 and the EL wire 4.
[0054] The term "computer-readable medium" as used herein refers to
any suitable medium known in the art that participates in providing
instructions to a computer integrated manufacturing system for
execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not
limited to, non-volatile medium, volatile medium, and transmission
medium. Non-volatile medium includes, for example, optical or
magnetic disks, or other suitable data storage device known in the
art. Volatile medium includes dynamic memory. Transmission medium
includes coaxial cables, copper wire and wire optics. Transmission
medium can also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as
those generated during radio-wave and infra-red data
communications.
[0055] Common forms of computer-readable medium include, for
example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape,
or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical medium,
punchcards, papertape, any other physical medium with patterns of
holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory
chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any
other medium from which a computer can read.
[0056] Various forms of computer readable medium may be involved in
carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to the
network for execution. For example, the instructions may initially
be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote
computer can load the instructions into its dynamic memory and send
the instructions over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local
to or communicatively linked with the network can receive the data
on the telephone line and use an infra-red transmitter to convert
the data to an infra-red signal. An infra-red detector can receive
the data carried in the infra-red signal and appropriate circuitry
can provide the data to the network.
[0057] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various
adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred
embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention. Other suitable fabrication, manufacturing,
assembly, wire bonding and test techniques and methods known in the
art can be applied in numerous specific modalities by one skilled
in the art and in light of the description of the present invention
described herein. Therefore, it is to be understood that the
invention may be practiced other than as specifically described
herein. The above description is intended to be illustrative, and
not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those
of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope
of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to
the knowledge of one skilled in the art and in light of the
disclosures presented above.
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